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Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin is a Taiwanese American former professional basketball player known for his breakout run with the New York Knicks in 2012, a stretch widely called “Linsanity.” He played college basketball at Harvard University and later became the first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jeremy Lin is a Taiwanese American former professional basketball player known for his breakout run with the New York Knicks in 2012, a stretch widely called “Linsanity.” He played college basketball at Harvard University and later became the first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA. Lin also won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, becoming the first Asian American player to do so.

Early life and education

Lin was born in Torrance, California, and raised in the United States. He attended Harvard University, where he played college basketball and earned recognition for his academic and athletic path.

NBA career

After going undrafted, Lin signed with the Golden State Warriors and later joined the New York Knicks, where he became a breakout star in 2012. He went on to play for several NBA teams, including the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors.

Linsanity

Lin's surge with the Knicks in February 2012, including a string of wins and high-scoring performances, became a major cultural and sports story. The period is commonly referred to as “Linsanity.”

Later career and legacy

Lin won an NBA championship with Toronto in 2019 and later continued his career in Taiwan. He is also recognized for his broader cultural significance as a trailblazing Asian American athlete.

Key facts

  • Jeremy Lin is a Taiwanese American former professional basketball player.
  • He became an international phenomenon during his 2012 breakout with the New York Knicks, known as “Linsanity.”
  • Lin was the first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA.
  • He won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, the first Asian American player to do so.
  • Lin played college basketball at Harvard University before entering the NBA as an undrafted free agent.
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Canadian context

Lin won the 2019 NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors, making him part of one of the most notable seasons in Canadian basketball history.[2][7]

Frequently asked questions

Who is Jeremy Lin?
Jeremy Lin is a Taiwanese American former professional basketball player best known for his 2012 breakout with the New York Knicks and his 2019 NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors.
Why is Jeremy Lin famous?
He became famous for his unexpected midseason surge with the Knicks in 2012, a phenomenon nicknamed “Linsanity.”
Where did Jeremy Lin go to college?
He attended Harvard University and played for the Harvard Crimson basketball team.
Did Jeremy Lin win an NBA championship?
Yes. He won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.
What position did Jeremy Lin play?
He played as a point guard.
What is Jeremy Lin’s significance in NBA history?
He is widely noted as one of the first American-born players of Chinese or Taiwanese descent in the NBA and the first Asian American to win an NBA title.

References

  1. Biographyhttps://www.biography.com/athletes/jeremy-lin
    Supports: Birth date and place, Harvard background, Knicks breakthrough, early NBA career.
  2. Britannica Kidshttps://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Jeremy-Lin/634221
    Supports: Birth details, Taiwanese immigrant parents, Linsanity, Asian American NBA significance.
  3. Gold Househttps://goldhouse.org/people/jeremy-lin-2/
    Supports: Linsanity, American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent, Toronto Raptors signing.
  4. Wikipedia (German)https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Lin
    Supports: Later Taiwan career and retirement note.
  5. ESPNhttps://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4299/jeremy-lin
    Supports: Birthplace, college, position, career stats.
  6. UNICEF USAhttps://www.unicefusa.org/about/unicef-usa/partnerships/our-supporters/celebrities/jeremy-lin
    Supports: Harvard alumnus, first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent in NBA, first Asian American NBA champion, later Taiwan play.
  7. CNNhttps://www.cnn.com/2012/02/14/sport/jeremy-lin-profile
    Supports: First U.S.-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese heritage in NBA, Harvard alumnus, Knicks breakout and scoring streak.